Yet again, Microsoft is trying to follow Apple’s lead (Mac -> Windows, iPod -> Zune, iPhone -> Windows phone, iPad -> Surface tablet, etc.) and is assembling an in-house “Microsoft Silicon” (Redmond is as original as ever) team to build new ARM chips.
Mayank Parmar for Windows Latest:
I have also spotted some job listings that suggest the company is building its own Silicon-based ARM chips for client devices. Additionally, I understand that Microsoft is optimizing Windows 12 for Silicon-ARM architecture.
The job listings (most of them have now been taken down) describe positions related to custom silicon accelerators, System on Chips (SoCs), and high-performance, high-bandwidth designs.
This suggests that Microsoft is building its own ARM-based chips, aiming to compete with Apple’s M chips lineup in terms of performance and efficiency… According to another job listing… the in-house ARM chips are part of the “Microsoft Silicon Team.”
These job listings strongly indicate that Microsoft is actively investing in the development of its own ARM chips, aiming to challenge Apple’s dominance in the market.
MacDailyNews Take: As it ever was.
Microsoft is… like a brain-damaged puppy that followed Apple around until it could no longer keep up. – MacDailyNews Take, October 25, 2011
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Look, having tech — my uncle was a great professor and scientist and engineer, Dr. John Trump at MIT; good genes, very good genes, OK, very smart, the Microsoft School of Finance, very good, very smart — you know, if you’re a conservative Republican, if I were a liberal, if, like, OK, if I ran as a liberal Democrat, they would say I’m one of the smartest people anywhere in the world — it’s true! — but when you’re a conservative Republican they try — oh, do they do a number — that’s why I always start off: Went to Microsoft School, was a good student, went there, went there, did this, — you know I have to give my like credentials all the time, because we’re a little disadvantaged — but you look at the tech deal, the thing that really bothers me — it would have been so easy, and it’s not as important as these lives are — tech is so powerful; my uncle explained that to me many, many years ago, the power and that was 35 years ago; he would explain the power of what’s going to happen and he was right, who would have thought? — but when you look at what’s going on with the four prisoners — now it used to be three, now it’s four — but when it was three and even now, I would have said it’s all in the messenger; fellas, and it is fellas because, you know, they don’t, they haven’t figured that the women are smarter right now than the men, so, you know, it’s gonna take them about another 150 years — but the Persians are great negotiators, the Iranians are great negotiators, so, and they, they just killed, they just killed us, this is horrible.
I gather Don, at the Microsoft Sch of Finance, you said f-it to the class about run-on sentences. So, you failed.
Perfectly expressed. It obviously went over the borg’s head.
I don’t “get” what the heck you’re trying to assert. I’d like to be on board but your posting is a jumble of ideas…..
…meanwhile; MDN’s take on this is, as usual, spot-on. Kudos.
I agree that this is “following Apple,” as it’s clearly after Apple, which has shown the power of owning the whole widget.
An even more plausible reason Microsoft is doing this is to compete with AWS and their Graviton2 ARM processors in the server market. The Graviton CPUs are competitive with Intel processors at a fraction of the cost, and an even smaller fraction of the heat dissipation for the same amount of processing power. AWS has been absolutely destroying Azure and GCP in this segment. I would not be surprised to find that Google/Alphabet follows suit and does the same for GCP servers for the same reason.
Now, the article suggests that Microsoft is aiming for the client/desktop/tablet/(phone?) market first. Clearly Apple has shown that the design of one (the A series) can migrate to higher powered desktop versions (the M series). If Microsoft can also make competitive ARM silicon for tablets and/or desktops, that’s at least another recoup on the investment. But I actually see the bigger story being the amount they can capture in the Server market.
Microsoft ported Windows to ARM in 2011. That is hardly “following.”
Yes, but they used off-the-shelf CPUs. This push is for custom silicon, like Apple.
MS is a changed company. Bill is gone…saving the World with “planning” and the Sweaty Monster is far far away. MS has been gaining steam for yrs with concrete tech. Though their foray into AI is unnerving (next Google?), I’ll put $$ on their chip success. For what it’s worth, of the big tech players, MS and AAPL have been the vanguards, with almost all the rest have slumped (NVDA exception).
That’s all
I wish Microsoft would fsck off and DIE
If Microsoft makes their own chips, then where does this now leave Intel?
As Microsoft’s primary chip fab? If MS is truly following Apple they’ll also outsource and what company better than the one associated closest through the years.
Up the creek, without said paddle. Eff the effing effects!
It is clear that competition in the semiconductor industry is heating up. This move indicates Microsoft’s intention to optimize performance and efficiency in their devices, mirroring Apple’s successful strategy with their M1 chips. It will be interesting to see how this development shapes the future of both companies and the overall landscape of personal computing. Read more
It reminds me of my childhood days when my younger brother would always try to mimic my choices, from toys to clothes. While some might criticize Microsoft for following Apple’s footsteps, it’s worth noting that healthy competition has often led to innovation and better products for consumers. Let’s hope this ‘Silicon’ rivalry brings about more groundbreaking advancements in the tech world.
Visited Redmond last year and got a whiff of Microsoft’s ambitious silicon projects. The tech rivalry deepens, and I’m curious to see if Microsoft’s Silicon can truly rival Apple’s prowess. Exciting times ahead!
This move by Microsoft to develop its own ARM-based chips is reminiscent of a determined underdog, finally stepping up to challenge the top dog in the yard. It’s like watching a plucky protagonist in a tech thriller, who’s been quietly honing their skills and is now ready to take on the reigning champion. With job listings suggesting a deep commitment, it’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds in the ongoing battle for chip supremacy.